Today let us look at what the 10 virgins do when it's time for the bridegroom's arrival. When they hear the cry announcing the bridegrooms return, they do two things: trim the wicks and fill the lamps with oil.

The trimming of the wick

The wicks need trimming and if not done, they will give off a lot of soot /smoke that will dull the light.

All the virgins wake up and trim their lamps. I feel the Holy Spirit arrest my attention here. This is also what we need to look at in this season of preparation.

The wick is the channel to receive the holy spirit and be a witness. Jesus talks about a time when people get offended and there will be all kinds of wars, hardships we will face.

The Greek word used is 'skandalon' which is a snare used to trap animals. We need to beware of the 'skandalon' in our lives.

Oil is the activity of the Holy Spirit that flows well through a surrendered heart.

The wick is symbolic of your heart. When the heart is impure you give off smoke viz selfish ambition, pride, offence, etc. Jesus is saying we need to clean our hearts.

Trimming the wick speaks of sanctification and repentance. We need to cut away things that are clogging our hearts. We need to be constantly saturated with the Holy Spirit. Over time our hearts can get clogged with sin, and unresolved issues that dull our Christian witness. We all need to guard our hearts for it is the wellspring of life.

What are some of the soot we are carrying in our hearts today? Unforgiveness, offence, bitterness, pride, envy, jealousy, disappointments, trauma, grief, betrayals, hate, jealousy, etc.

The lamp gives out light for others to see. We need to deal with our hearts that are giving off a lot of smoke so that we can be a light to the nations. Some of our lamps have a little oil but the wick still needs to be trimmed.

Has your light gotten dim today? What can you do about it? Each of us needs to trim our wicks and sort those issues out.

Some hard work needs to be put into repentance and a change of heart. God is committed to transforming us and to making us more like His Son Jesus. But we need to cooperate with Him.

Our hearts need to be changed and cleansed so that our ministries carry the life of God.

REFLECT AND ASK YOURSELF

What soot are is clouding your light today? – unforgiveness, offence, bitterness, jealousy, laziness?